There are a variety of different terms for a raised structure that acts as a barrier between two areas. The terms berm, dike (or dyke), and levee are often used interchangeably to describe such structures that are used for flood mitigation. The main difference between the terms is how each is built to mitigate flooding. Both berm and levee refer to raised embankments that are either manmade or the result of excavated land. Note that “berm” can be used for a landscape feature not related to water management.
For our purposes, we will use berm to describe the raised banks intended for water management, as this is common language used to describe this form of flood mitigation.
Berms contain dense sediment materials that decrease water velocity, control flow rates, and absorb excess water in the event of a flood. Normally placed in communities or sites prone to flooding, berms act as a barrier further mitigating the impacts of flood water. Berms are an effective form of flood mitigation, so long as they are built large enough to handle flood flows. For this reason, berms are often coupled with other mitigation measures, such as dams and dry ponds.
Typically, the primary concern for the lifetime expectancy of a berm is the river breaching or overtopping the berm. Therefore, these structures should be upgraded over time to accommodate higher river flows, to address settling, or if otherwise necessary. For example, Drumheller’s current project mentioned above came 30 years after initial construction.
The environmental impacts of berms include riverbank erosion, habitat destruction, and stream instability. These impacts are mainly caused by the increase in velocity that berms cause by limiting the room for water to flow.
Berms are built to contain flood waters and prevent riverbank breaches that could flood developments. Impacts on the surrounding watershed can be significant, due to high flow rates and subsequent erosion. The function of floodplains is also disrupted, because water is being confined to the stream, rather than allowing flow to expand across the floodplain.
Flood protection berms are intended to aid in flood situations by keeping high water out of certain areas. Therefore, they tend to be of little use in a drought.
We provide Canadian educational resources on water practices to promote conservation and sustainability. Our team crafts current and relevant content, while encouraging feedback and engagement.
The Canada WaterPortal is a registered charity, #807121876RR0001
We recognize and respect the sovereignty of the Indigenous Peoples and communities on whose land our work takes place.
© 2024 All Rights Reserved.
Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.
Ross has been active on several industry Boards and committees including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and The Schulich School of Engineering Industry Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Engineering.
Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market. With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry.
Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector.
He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency.
Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field.
Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation. As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.